Pain in the heel or heel is usually the result of a plantar fasciitis or heel spur. The treatment for both is often the same. Sometimes heel pain occurs due to another cause. Pain in the heel after running is a common complaint among novice athletes.

Heel pain: where is it?

The heel is actually the misnomer for the heel of the foot. The heel is under a shoe, the heel under a foot. Yet the heel of the foot is often referred to when talking about the heel. It is important that it is clear to most people that the heel of the foot actually means the heel. This article will therefore discuss the heel further.The heel is located at the back of the foot and carries part of the body weight. The heel has to withstand a lot because it carries weight and has to absorb shock. Pain in the heel is usually felt at the bottom, less often at the back or side.

Heel spur: pain in the heel

Heel spurs are a condition that causes pain at the bottom of the heel. This can occur on one or both heels at the same time. A tendon sheet runs under the heel towards the toes. The membrane around the attachment of the tendon leaf can become inflamed at the heel due to overload. This is often seen in people who suddenly start walking or running much more than they are used to. There is then so much pressure on the tendon leaf at the same time, without it being used to it, that the membrane at the attachment becomes inflamed. This membrane is located around the bone in the heel.The inflammation is often just the beginning. The inflammation can cause the membrane to crack. Calcium can be deposited by the body in these cracks. A thorn-shaped calcification occurs on the heel. When we get to this point, it is called a heel spur. It is often easy to point to the area of pain with one finger.The treatment may consist of wearing a podiatric sole . There are also water-filled insoles. Rest is often a very good treatment, but almost impossible to implement. Sometimes the complaints disappear spontaneously after 1 to 2 years. Physiotherapy can also sometimes help. In physiotherapy, the treatment is mainly aimed at stimulating blood circulation and friction (massage using the fingers) of calcium deposits.Alternating baths or cooling the heel provide relief and stimulate blood circulation. Extra calcium intake sometimes also works. You can massage the bottom of the foot by rolling your foot over a tennis ball. By picking up a marble with your toes several times a day, the muscles and tendons are kept flexible.

Plantar fasciitis

An inflammation of the tendon plate often causes the same symptoms as a heel spur, but there is no thorn-shaped calcification. Cracks occur in the tendon plate due to overload. The tendon plate then becomes inflamed. The inflammation can cause just as many complaints as a heel spur. The most pain is felt in the morning, just after getting up.The treatment consists of rest, alternating with training by picking up marbles with the toe. Massage with a tennis ball, such as for a heel spur, also relieves. Further alternating baths or cooling. A shock-absorbing heel lift can be worn temporarily. Plaster provides mandatory rest, but the disadvantage is that the muscles become weak.

Heel pain or calcaneodynia

Heel pain is more common in older people. There is a fat pad under the heel, which provides good cushioning while walking. As we get older, this fat pad slowly disappears. The result is that the cushioning disappears and more pressure is placed directly on the bone. This causes overload of the heel bone, resulting in pain.An insole that provides shock absorption is recommended for the elderly. This relieves the heel bone and reduces pain. If there is already inflammation as a result of the overload, rest, massage and alternating baths are recommended.Heel pain also sometimes occurs in children, usually between the ages of 8 and 13. Overloading the heel bone can cause an irregularity in the immature growth plate. This causes pain complaints. The pain usually disappears on its own when the growth plate closes. It is important to rest in between and ensure that the heel bone does not become overloaded. Sometimes an insole is advised to reduce pain complaints.